Facts, Not Fiction

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I don't understand all the handwringing on Let's Run about ruining the Trials. It's basically no different than the last few trials. In events we are weak in, the top three finishers probably won't have the standard (or ranking). Team USA will have to go down the list to attempt to fill the team.

The huge difference is that in the past, if you didn't have the standard, you also probably did not have a performance that would get invited. For most events that was a small number.

Now the standards are _significantly_ higher, so far more athletes will be in the position of not having the standard, but having a ranking that would get an invite.

For example, in the men's pole vault, we are very strong right now, but we still could end up with only 3-4 guys hitting the standard in the window.

Let's say you have a guy hit 5.80 (the standard) at a meet in Chula Vista in May 2019. Gets hurt. Jumps poorly all of 2020. Places 8th at the Trials, but is one of only three with the standard. First and second have the standard, third does not but has been jumping well over in Europe and is ranked 15th in the world, which would for sure get invited (field size 32).

I think we have a better team taking the third place finisher who is jumping well when it matters over the guy who got the standard over a year before in extremely favorable conditions and is no longer performing at that level.

Ironically, the IAAF is trying to push the rankings system in order to get AMERICANS to stop having sketchy marks, but if USATF prioritizes standards over rankings, the sketchy marks will only increase.

Our athletes will perform more poorly in international competition, because they will be so focused on traveling to meets with the optimal weather/venue/pacing for their event. Do that too much and it impairs most athletes' ability to perform well in major championships.

Ironically, the IAAF is trying to push the rankings system in order to get AMERICANS to stop having sketchy marks, but if USATF prioritizes standards over rankings, the sketchy marks will only increase. ..

where does that fact (or "fact") come from? First I've ever heard of it

The whole rankings setup could also motivate some of the big American meets (Penn Relays, Mt. SAC etc.) to apply for some sort of international permit status. And it should motivate some of the top American athletes to compete in events like the Pan Am Games and NACAC.